Spring-tire.



No. 837,376. PATENTED DEC. 4, 1906.

J. W. BARNES, JB.

SPRING TIRE.

APPLICATION FILED NGV. 1| 1905.

0f iz JNVENTOR.

ATTORNEYI between lsaid bands.

UNITED STATES PATENT oEEIoE.

JUSTUS W. BARNES, Jn., or PITTSEiELD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR 0FloNE-HALF'TO wILEiAM A. WHITTLESEY, or PITTSFIELD, MASSACHU- SETTS.

SPRING-TIRE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 4, 190e.

Application ma -Novemberrisoa sean No. 285,499.

vehicle-wheels', the principal object thereof being to provide anelastic, durable, and puncture-proof tire possessing all the advantages,with none of the disadvantages, of

pneumatic tires and adaptable to theframe of ordinary vehicle-whee Withthis and other objects in view my invention consists in certain featuresof construction and combination of parts, as hereinafter described andvclaimed, reference beinfr had to the drawings forming a part of tlnsspecification, in which correspondingv parts are designated by similarreference characters in each ofthe views..`

In the construction of my invention I provide two circular metallicbands of unequal diameter arranged concentrically, with annular spaceintervening of sufficient width for the reception of springs and othermechanism, thereby forming an elastic connection The smaller band ismade of a size corresponding to the periphery of the felly of the wheeland adapted to be.

rigidly aflixed thereon, while the larger band offers the wearingsurface or tread. The sides and top of my tire, including the interiormechanism and felly of the wheel, are wholly enveloped in a metalliccasing, which is designed to receive and retain a preferred form oflubricant to facilitate the operation of the mechanism and to preventthe` admission of Water, dust, or other extraneous substance. Y

Figure 1 is aside elevation of a wheeltire made according to myinvention, portions of the casings thereof being broken away to exposethe interior mechanism; Fig. 42, a front elevation thereof, showingsection of outer band or tread A, also across-section on line ze, Fig.1, and a top view of a pivot-bar I on linex, Fig. 1.

In the accompanying drawings, A and B represent two endless concentricbands,

tain all unusual strains and shoe felly band, respectively. Thetread-band may be flat, concave, or convex, withl a smooth or unevenwearing-surface of any approved description. Said vband A is provided lupon its interior surface with two-parallel 6o annular flanges A and A2,Fig. 2, of uniform width, which may be an integral art of the band orvrigidly attached thereto, orming an angular groove or channel with theextendedy n edges of the band for the reception and at' 65'- taclnnentof the side casings F and T, Fig. 2. The interior surface of said band Ais further provided with upright angular brackets H, Figs. 1 and 2,placed in pairs backto back at equal intervals around the band inthespace intervening between said flanges A and Azfand attached thereto bymeans off bolts H2, Fig. 1.

The brackets H are preferably constructed of thin sheet metal formedinto the shape of a capital letter E, with quadrilateral end or side`Wings projected at right angles-to the middle rib and a central wing orpartition. projected therefrom, the end of which is indicated by thecharacter H in Fig. 2, e ually dividing the interspacing betweensaidside wings and of uniform size therewith. The brackets Haretraversed by horizontal bearing-pins H4, sup orting the springs J J', KK', &c., and bolts 3 for support of pivot-bar I.

Traversing longitudinally each section of the tire are a plurality offlat springs J and J K and K', L and-L', M and M', preferably composingfour sets arranged in pairs two pairs above and two below the spreader Pand on either side of the rocker N. Said springs are slightly'curved attheir ends to prevent displacement from their respective positions onbearing-pins H4, while the inner springs K and K', L and L are slightlymore crowned than the others, being designed thus to receive and bearthe normal load strain 'of the vehicle, while the outer springs are adated to susor sudden ICO and violent jolts upon the tire. f

N, Fig. 1, represents a rocker provided centrally with an elongated slotN? and at its extremities Wit-h horlzontal arms Nv and spreader P, saidrocker vbeing attached to inner bandB by means of parallel lugs or earsO, projecting from said band, and pin O', traversing the lugs O androcker-arms N. Said rocker N is pivoted centrally upon a which may bedesignated as the"tread and 55 fiiction-roll'er-S, intercepting slot Nand irnparting a rotatory motion to rocker N, said roller S beingsecuredto horizontalpivot-bar I by means of a pin'IZ, Figs; 1 and 2.Pivotbar I is preferably constructed -of molded sheet metal, havingoverlapping sides and expanded ends 1*, forming terminal eyes forbearing-bolts H3, and a rectangular slot I', located centrally for thereception of rocker N, said slot I containing a `friction-roller S,mounted upon a stationary pin I2, passing transversely through thepivot-bar I.j The spreader P is preferabl constructed of a flatrectangular metallic p ate of a width equal to the space between theside wings of the brackets H and' is rigidly secured to the rocker endin any'approved marmer, but preferably by means of the engagement ofnotches provided laterally in the neck of the rocker, with a slot ofcorresponding dimen-` sions located centrally in said s reader.

T, Fig. v2, represents an annu arl side casing of uniform widthconstructed of iiat sheet metal adapted to fit closely over one side ofthe tire for the reception of the interior mechanism and the exclusionof foreign substances, said casing being constructed tot int-o theangular groove formed by the flange A2 and the extended edge of band Aand secured rmly in position by bolts H2, passing transversely throughthe tire. Said casing T is made somewhat wider than the annular spacebetween bands A and B, thus extend- .ing beyond the edge of band B andbearing inovably against'the same.

F E D .forni parts ci the casing for-the opposite side of the tire andare similarlyconstructed and adapted, except that an annular cap E,secured in position by bolts H5, is

' adapted to cover an annular opening E', promechanism. It will'beapparent thatside casing T and part D of casing F E D, bearing movablyagainst the extended edgeso innerv band lB, serve tosupport band A in'osition and' to prevent lateral motionthereo It represents endlessangular water-tight caps secured by rivets'to the inner' surface of bandB on either side thereof, bearing movably against the side casings T andD. Said l` caps are preferably constructed of thin mold-- 'ed sheetmetal and are designed-to holdin lposition inclosed annular washers. R.,of feltv or other suitable material, bearing 'closely-1- against theIprojected edges of said side .cas-

ings T and C represents a top casing incluse the spacebei'fweenthe,ontcraie` edges of the side casings overla pingsaid-fedg'es `and bearing lateralljliiiovab y'against .the same',

theretiieirclu gg extraneous' 'substances tioned springs be fromV theinterior ci the tire and coperating with said side casings as asupporting-guide. Said casing Cis preferably constructed of thin sheetmetal forming two annular sections, secured together by screws or rivetsC, pass- `ing through upturned edges C2, said sections engaging with thespokes 0i the wheel and covering the felly thereof; but'it will beapparent that while said top casing C is independently movablerelatively to the" side slightly eccentric to the aXis of the wheel,

whilev the resiliency of the springs tends to force the band to returnto its normal position with reference to said axis. The rockers in thesections ofthe tire Vimmediately above and beneath the axis of the wheelbeing the top and bottom sections, respectively, are -actuated slightlyearthward, causing their respective spreaders to bear upon thecrownsprings directly beneath, While all other rockhe load strain aplied to the wheel ers in the remaining sections by the coperative actionof their res active pivots, tending in the direction of the ine offorce, cause .their respective spreaders to bear upon the crownspringsoneither side thereof, said last-meng actuated b a gyratory movement ofthe spreaders. When extraordinary load strain is applied. to the wheelor IOO in event of a sudden violent shock or jolt overcoming themaximum' resistance of the lighter crown-springs, the heavier outersprings are then subjected to the over-strain.

Having fully described. my invention,

Patent- A 1. A wheel-tire, comprising two concentric bands of unequaldiameter having the annular space between said bands eially 'dividedinto independent sections, eac of said sections containing springmechanism receiving a proportionate part of the load strain upon theWneel said mechanism comprisin a plurality of flat springsin pairsactuate by interposed spreaders. y

2. In tires for Wheels, an inner band mounted upon the folly of thewheel, an outer band -of larger diameter and concentric therewith,

and interposed elastic connection supporting said outer band; saidconnection consisting of xfiat springs dis osed in pairs'v circumferen-AAtially, tangentia ly to the inner band Iand ac- 1 tuated, byinterposed spreaders; the said springs and the said spreadersbeing-secured to opposite bands.

I los claim as new and desire to secure by Letters' IIO whatwe, au innervtaai gifiiy mounted upon the felly of the Wheel; -an indeendentlymovable outer v band condentric herewith, and iliiglfposedmechwmsm-.femiing an elastic connection between said bands,

of the inner band, bearing movably against the saine and thereby forminga aterallysupporting guide for said outer band, and an annular {elly-capadapted to envelop the projecting edges of said side plates, .bearinglmovably against the same.

' 4. In tires for Wheels, the combination of an inner rim or bandrigidly mounted upon the Jelly, an independently-movable outer rimconcentric therewith, and interposed elastic connection between saidbands consisting of flat springs in pairs attached to the outer rim andaffected yieldingly by interposed plates or spreaders connected With theinner rim by means of pivotal 'rockers actuating said plates orspreaders.

'5. A Wheel-tire, consisting of two concentric bands 'of unequaldiameter having the annular space between said bands equally dividedinto sections; each of .said sections containing a plurality ofsprings'with inter'- posed platesl or spreaders secured to pivotal Krockers attached to the inner rim or band;

said springsbeing actuated by a gyratory movement of the spreaders.

6. In tires for wheels, 1n combination, an inner band, B, mounted uponthe felly of the wheel, .a ianged outer band, A, having a wearingsurface or tread, of largery diameter springs, J and J', K and K', L

'1), attached to said and concentric Withsaid inner band,B, sectionalmechanism interposed between said bands, forming an elasticconnectionthereof, composed of slotted rockers, N, attached at one end to theperiphery of the inner band, B, by a pivotal joint formed by parallellugs,` O, by intercepting rocker-arms, verse pin O', friction-rollers,S, su ported ipon pivdtbar, I, and interce ting t e slot, 2, of therockers, pivot-bars, su ported at either end by brackets H, a urality ofan L', M and M', supported by brackets, H, lates or preaders, P attachedat one end o rockers, and intercepting said springs actuated yieldingly`thereby, brackets, H, secured to outer band, A, by means of annularflanges, A' and A2, side walls or casings,T and F, E,

outer band, A, and proected beyond edges of inner band, B,- and earingmovably a ainst the same, thereby forming al lateral y-supportingI guidefor Vmovements of band A, and a cooperative to C, supporting laterallysai a water and dust shown or Jelly casing, side casings and formingproof cap over same, substantially as and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as .my invention I have hereuntosigned my name,in the presence of the subscribing witnesses, this 30thday of October, A. D. 1905.

JUSTUS W, BARNES, JR.

Vitnesses:

JNO. J. WHIrTLEsEY, ANNIE E. CowLrN;

N', and transl

